Search
-
Recent Posts
Archives
Categories
Meta
-
I’m Still Cheering – D Blessings Week Day 3
Today is day 3 of Diabetes Blessings Week. This post is a rehash of what I wrote on day 3 of last year’s D Blessings Week. What I wrote then is still true today and is worth repeating this year.
Deep down, I am just a kind hearted, gentle giant. That’s a fact that many in the Diabetes Online Community have come to know. When those around me are hurting, I hurt too. When someone needs encouragement, a hug, or a simple smile, I give it. Simply put, I’m the kind of guy who’d give the shirt off his back to help someone.
Diabetes has blessed me with the opportunity to be a cheerleader for others living with the various types of this disease.
I’m thankful for being blessed with a chance to do what I do best. Help others.
This image was inspired by one of my cheerleaders in the D-OC, Jess (@LaMerenguera) gave me the nickname Mr. Bubblez last year, and it’s stuck. I think it fits my personality quite well. What do you think?
Amazing People – D Blessings Week Day 2
It’s day 2 of Diabetes Blessings Week, and today’s post is devoted to the some of the amazing people I have been blessed to be able to meet in person since my diagnosis. Since I’m a subscriber of the notion that a picture is worth a thousand words, I’m going to let the ones below do the talking for me.
It was amazing to meet so many of my fellow diabetes bloggers at the Roche Social Media Summit this year.
George Simmons ...a.k.a....Mr. Ninjabetic
Scott Johnson... Fear the beard!
Lee Ann Thill and Cherise Shockley
Ginger Vieira
Dr. Bill Polonsky
Ben Vereen
Olympic Cross Country Skier Kris Freeman
Indycar Driver Charlie Kimball
I am quite thankful to have had the opportunity to meet all of these individuals, and even more thankful to be able to consider many of them my friends.
A Healthier Life – D Blessings Week Day 1
Today is the first day of Diabetes Blessings Week – a week in which we count the blessings that have come to our lives because of diabetes. And one of the biggest blessings that has come my way since diagnosis is a healthier life.
Now, I realize that it may sound strange for me to say that I have a healthier life considering that I live with type 2 diabetes and congestive heart failure, so let me explain.
There are three things that are key to my management of these conditions: eating well, getting as much exercise as my heart will allow, and taking my medications. And I do all three of those religiously. I generally eat between 1,500 and 2,000 calories a day, walk 5 to 10 miles a week, and take about 12 medications each day. That regimen has led to a stronger heart, lower A1c numbers, and significant weight loss. All of which contribute to a healthier me. And that’s just the physical side of the coin.
I’ve said it many times that being diagnosed with diabetes and congestive heart failure has helped me to better understand just how short and precious life really is, and the importance of slowing down enough to enjoy the little things and living each day to the fullest. The joy of spending time with family and friends, going on dates with my special someone, and just having fun in general are all important to a mentally healthier me.
Essentially, my diagnoses led me to start taking better care of myself. And they serve as a constant reminder of the fact that it really is OK to stop and think about what I need.
Better physical health + better mental health = a healthier me. And that really is a blessing!
Thing Type 2
Today is Blue Friday and I decided to have a bit of fun with it and dress up as a new Dr. Seuss inspired character, Thing Type 2. Enjoy!
Hope you liked the pictures. Happy Blue Friday!
Posted in Diabetes, Diabetes Awareness Month, Humor, Photos
10 Comments
2nd Annual Diabetes Blessings Week
The season of Thanksgiving is upon us once again. It is a season in which we should reflect upon the many blessings in our lives and express our gratitude for them. And despite all of our complaints about living with this disease, I know that diabetes has blessed each of us in one way or another. So many of you joined me in celebrating those blessings last year and made the inaugural Diabetes Blessings Week an unqualified success. And as the season has drawn nearer, many have asked if the event would be repeated this year.
So, with that in mind, I am announcing today that November 21nd through November 27th will be the 2nd Annual Diabetes Blessings Week.
I invite all of my fellow D-Bloggers and D-OC members to use those 7 days to reflect upon the blessings that have come to them because of diabetes, and devote at least one blog post to the subject. For those inclined to accept, I challenge you to write a post each day of Diabetes Blessings Week. And, of course, you should then tweet about your posts on Twitter and use the #DBlessingsWeek hashtag, and submit your posts to the list on the Diabetes Blessings Week page here on MDH. The image above can be used as a participant badge on your blog.
So please, spread the word about Diabetes Blessings Week, and I’ll be looking forward to reading about everyone’s blessings.
PS: Please leave a comment below to let me know if you plan on participating. Thanks!
World Diabetes Day Snap Shot
So, World Diabetes Day turned out to be quite an awesome day. My celebration activities included wearing blue, taking part in a town hall style meeting at hosted by the good folks at the ADA office in Indianapolis, hanging out with Indy Car driver Charlie Kimball, and participating in the Big Blue Test with several folks who attended the ADA event. Here are a few pictures.
The Panelists
Courtesy of ADA Indiana
The Audience
Courtesy of ADA Indiana
New Friends
Hanging with Charlie Kimball = Awesome!
Funny Friends
Mike Hoskins, Todd Siesky, and Mike Durbin = The Blues Brothers
Old Friends
Mike & Suzi Hoskins
In all, it was a day of advocacy, learning, meeting new friends, and catching up with old friends. And one I thoroughly enjoyed!
World Diabetes Day Celebration in Indy
World Diabetes Day is Monday, and the American Diabetes Association Indiana Chapter is hosting a Town Hall style meeting in Indianapolis to celebrate. See the images below for detail about the event. Please spread the word and if you’re in the area and can attend, please do. Hope to see you there!
Click to view larger
Click to view larger
For more information or to RSVP for the event, CLICK HERE
The future of online activism
NHBPM Day 10 Prompt: The future of online activism. Our favorite social media sites are constantly undergoing renovations to become quicker to navigate, easier to interact with, all encompassing, mobile, and everywhere. Imagine the same thing about your community – how will they evolve, improve, and grow?
I may have an interesting blue scar on my forehead, but I’m no wizard or magical being with a crystal ball which will show me what the future holds for online diabetes activism, advocacy, what ever. Frankly, I don’t need a crystal ball to know this one thing:
As long as there is no cure for all types of diabetes, as long as we are still fighting this awful disease, there will be online diabetes activism.
We will continue our efforts to raise awareness, to educate the public about the realities of the types of diabetes, to combat the myths and BS that we deal with every day.
We will continue to support each other in our fight to live a long and fulfilling life with the various types of diabetes. We must keep fighting for a cure, but we must live the best life we can until we get to that goal.
Ultimately, we will continue to be the Diabetes Online CommUNITY!
This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J
Posted in National Health Blog Post Month
1 Comment
Me and The DOC
Today is the 6th Annual D Blog Day, which was created by my friend Gina. This year participants were challenged to create a page for a scrapbook that Gina is compiling. For those unable to create a page, like myself, there was also a writing prompt. The prompt is:
“Why you feel the Diabetes Online Community is so important? especially to you personally? Give examples of other diabetes involvement may you have, on or offline, how it helped you etc… How do you think “we” as an online community can band together to reach broader audiences to help even more people living with or affected by diabetes.”
Since this is also day 9 of the National Health Blog Post Month challenge I’ve committed to completing and today’s prompt asked me to talk about myself again, I’m combining the two ideas. So here goes!
To me, the Diabetes Online Community has been a blessing from the very beginning of my journey. Within a few days of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and congestive heart failure on December 29, 2008, my Google searches for information and support for the two conditions had lead me to the very first community site that I joined, Diabetic Rockstar. I was overwhelmed by the welcome that I received from so many members of that site. I knew that I wasn’t alone in my new life. And that I never would be. It was through that site that I met my awesome sister, Ashley. 🙂
My searching led me to the personal blogs of Kerri, Scott, George and Kelly, and many more. More examples of people living with diabetes for many, many years. And each was sharing his or her story. Sharing what it was really like to live with the type of diabetes with which they were diagnosed. I was diagnosed with a different type of diabetes than theirs, but from them I learned the diligence it would take to live well with my diabetes. That I could, in fact, live with it. And this was long before I even found them on twitter and began talking to them daily. And I certainly never imagined I would actually get to meet them in person.
Reading the comments on those blogs, seeing the impact each was having on the lives of readers, was inspiring to me. The thought that someone could benefit from reading about my experiences was exciting to me. Helping others is what I do. That’s who I am. Who I always have been and always will be. Did you hear that, my fellow diabetes bloggers? You guys inspired me to start My Diabetic Heart, which got the ball rolling on all of the awesome things I’ve been able to be a part of over the last three years. And I can’t thank you enough.
And I’m now addicted to twitter. Never thought that would happen. It’s all because of the DOC. It’s my 24/7 connection to all the awesome folks I’ve come to know and love and call my friends. It’s my extended family. I love you guys!
So, you ask “why is the Diabetes Online Community so important to me?” It has been my life line. My phone, tweet, text or email a friend. It’s been my beacon of hope through some of the darkest times over the last few years. And it has been the same for so many others in the past, and will be the same for others in the future.
That, my friends, is why the DOC is so important.
This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J
My Diabetic Heart 